Spidey/Ross,both of your postings/websites are incredibly helpful...the sites are beauties!

I am about ready to start my first strip boat(as you are aware Ross)...an OI....toying with the idea of going stapleless....the duct tape idea sounds intriguing. Would this be considered a beginners nightmare....or an opportunity?

Are there any downsides to using duct tape or packing tape in terms of leaving any residue on the wood surface? A short while ago someone posted problems with wiping glue off the wood surface with a wet cloth, as the wetness might result in a variable absorption rate when later applying resin.

Two questions.....anything to be acutely aware of when gluing(in terms of the wood surface)....and what is the best way to remove excess glue without creating later epoxy absorption problems, or any other problems?
Many thanks...Bob

Hi Ross;

: Welcome to the club! A few things I discovered when building my first kayak
: include (most important first): (1) Really attach the sheer
: strips firmly. My next effort will find me screwing the sheer strips to
: the forms and plugging the holes afterward with wood plugs. These are the
: most important strips in my opinion.

: (2) Don't worry about knocking the forms out - A bigger problem will be
: generating hot glue joints that hold up. I stopped using hot glue
: altogether when I clamped the sheer strips in place and simply let every
: new strip reference to these and the forms. The structure will hold itself
: in place against the forms with no problem if you FIRMLY secure the sheer
: strips. Trust me on this one.

: (3) Tape is where it's at - The best clamp ever devised. I preferred duck
: tape (the good stuff that doesn't leave residue), but I used the fiber
: packing tape when I needed to really clamp an area. You'll run into (i.e.)
: the end of a tapered strip, and it just doesn't want to sit in position
: flush with the hull (or deck) . . . I used short pieces of strip, perhaps
: 3/4" long, covered with duck tape so it wouldn't get glued in
: position. I would stand it edgewise, over the raised area, and pull fiber
: strapping tape down hard over the small block. It's amazing how much
: pressure that will maintain until the glue has set. Seconds to implement,
: a quick pull to release it. Love the stuff . . .

: (4) Did I mention, Affix the sheer strips firmly?

: Best of Luck, Spidey